Canada Immigration: COMPREHENSIVE RANKING SYSTEM (CRS) | PART 2

The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is a points-based scoring method used by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to rank Express Entry candidates.

Your CRS score determines whether you will receive an ITA (Invitation to Apply) for permanent residency.

The CRS score is calculated out of:

1200 total points, divided into:
1. Core / Human Capital Factors (up to 500 points)
2. Spouse Factors (up to 40 points)
3. Skill Transferability (up to 100 points)
4. Additional Points (up to 600 points)

SECTION A: CORE / HUMAN CAPITAL FACTORS (500 Points Max)

This applies to the principal applicant.

There are different scoring tables depending on:

With spouse or common-law partner
Without spouse or common-law partner

1. Age Points

Age Points (Without Spouse)

Age	CRS Points
18	90
19	95
20–29	100
30	95
31	90
32	85
33	80
34	75
35	70
36	65
37	60
38	55
39	50
40	45
41	35
42	25
43	15
44	5
45	0

Age Points (With Spouse)

Age	CRS Points
18	90
19	95
20–29	100
30	95
31	90
32	85
33	80
34	75
35	70
36	65
37	60
38	55
39	50
40	45
41	35
42	25
43	15
44	5
45	0

(Age points are the same with or without spouse.)

2. Education Points

Education (Without Spouse)

Education Level	Points
Secondary school	30
One-year diploma	90
Two-year diploma	98
Bachelor’s degree	120
Two or more post-secondary credentials	128
Master’s degree	135
Professional degree (medicine, dentistry, etc.)	135
PhD	150

Education (With Spouse)

Education Level	Points
Secondary school	28
One-year diploma	84
Two-year diploma	91
Bachelor’s degree	112
Two or more post-secondary credentials	119
Master’s degree	126
Professional degree	126
PhD	140

3. Official Language (IELTS / CELPIP) Points

Canada uses CLB (Canadian Language Benchmark) levels to convert IELTS scores into CRS points.

First Official Language (Without Spouse)

CLB Level	Reading/Writing/Listening/Speaking Points Each	Total Possible
CLB 4 or less	0	–
CLB 5	6	24
CLB 6	9	36
CLB 7	17	68
CLB 8	23	92
CLB 9	31	124
CLB 10	34	136

First Official Language (With Spouse)

CLB Level	Points Each	Total Possible
CLB 4 or less	0	–
CLB 5	6	24
CLB 6	8	32
CLB 7	16	64
CLB 8	22	88
CLB 9	29	116
CLB 10	32	128

Second Official Language (French)

Maximum 24 points.

4. Work Experience Points

Canadian Work Experience (Without Spouse)

Years	CRS
None	0
1	40
2	53
3	64
4	72
5+	80

Canadian Work Experience (With Spouse)

Years	CRS
None	0
1	35
2	46
3	56
4	63
5+	70

SECTION B: SPOUSE FACTORS (40 Points Max)

If the applicant has a spouse/common-law partner:

Factor	Maximum Points
Spouse Education	Up to 10
Spouse Language Proficiency	Up to 20
Spouse Canadian Experience	Up to 10

SECTION C: SKILL TRANSFERABILITY FACTORS (100 Points Max)

These factors combine your:

Education
Language skills
Foreign work experience

1. Education + Language or Canadian Experience (Max 50)

Combination	Points
Post-secondary + CLB 7 or less	0
Post-secondary + CLB 8	25
Post-secondary + CLB 9+	50
Post-secondary + 1+ year Canadian experience	Up to 50

2. Foreign Work Experience + Language (Max 50)

Combination	Points
1–2 years foreign exp + CLB 7 or less	0
1–2 years + CLB 9	25
3+ years + CLB 9	50
Foreign experience + Canadian experience	Up to 50

SECTION D: ADDITIONAL POINTS (Up to 600)

Category	Points
Provincial Nomination (PNP)	600
Valid Job Offer (NOC 0, 1, 2, 3 TEER categories)	50–200
Canadian Study (1–2 years)	15
Canadian Study (3+ years)	30
French CLB 7 + English CLB 5	25
French CLB 7 + English CLB 7	50
Sibling in Canada	15

CRS TOTAL POSSIBLE SCORE = 1200

This includes:

600 points from core + spouse + skill transferability
600 points from additional factors

Most successful applicants score:

FSW (Federal Skilled Worker Program): 470+
CEC (Canadian Experience Class): 440–460
PNP nominees: Always 600+ due to nomination

Conclusion (Part 2)

The CRS system is the core of Canada’s Express Entry selection process. Your CRS score determines your chances of getting an ITA. Higher language scores, strong education, and work experience combinations significantly improve CRS outcomes.